Tempesto is the launched steel coaster tucked into the Festa Italia section of Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and it packs one of the park’s most unusual ride sequences into under a minute: a forward shot out of the station, a fall back through the same twist, a backward launch, and then a full-speed sprint to 150 feet.
This guide covers everything riders search for before getting in line: the exact height requirement, top speed and stats, what the launch sequence actually feels like, how intense it is compared to the park’s other coasters, and practical tips for Quick Queue and visiting Festa Italia.
Quick Answer
Tempesto is a Premier Rides Sky Rocket II launch coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg that opened April 25, 2015. It requires a 54-inch minimum height, reaches about 62 mph, climbs 150 feet, and delivers a single inversion (an in-line twist/heartline roll) via a multi-pass launch that fires the train forward, lets it fall back, then launches it backward before the final forward run.
Tempesto Height Requirement and Who Can Ride
Riders must be at least 54 inches (137 cm) tall to ride Tempesto. That puts it in the same height bracket as most of Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s other launch and inversion coasters, so it’s a good “first big launch coaster” for kids who’ve already cleared 48-inch family rides but aren’t yet tall enough for taller B&M coasters that require the same 54-inch minimum but feel more intense over a longer layout.
There’s no separate weight limit publicized beyond the standard restraint-fit requirement common to Premier Rides trains: the over-the-shoulder harness needs to lock and lower fully, so guests should expect a test seat at the entrance if there’s any doubt. Loose articles aren’t allowed in the launch area, and the park provides bins near the queue rather than a locker bank, so plan to stash phones and bags before boarding.
Tempesto Stats: Speed, Height, Length and Inversions
Park: Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Williamsburg, Virginia). Manufacturer/model: Premier Rides Sky Rocket II. Opened: April 25, 2015. Height: 150 feet. Drop: 135 feet. Top speed: about 62 mph. Track length: 863 feet. Inversions: 1 (a non-inverting half-loop paired with a heartline roll, one of the tallest inversions of its kind on any coaster). Ride duration: roughly 55 seconds. Train: a single 18-rider train with three cars, two seats across, three rows.
Because there’s only one train running the circuit, Tempesto’s hourly rider count is lower than multi-train coasters like Griffon or Apollo’s Chariot, which is the main reason its standby line can back up faster on busy afternoons even though the ride cycle itself is short.
The Ride Experience: How the Launch Sequence Works
Tempesto skips a traditional lift hill entirely. Instead, a multi-pass LSM (linear synchronous motor) launch fires the train out of the station and partway into a twisting element, then lets gravity pull it back through the same section into the station. From there it launches backward, clears the station again, and finally gets the full forward launch that carries the train up and over its 150-foot high point.
After the launch, the layout moves fast: a non-inverting half-loop leads into the heartline roll, then a second half-loop and a full non-inverting loop before the train brakes back into the station. The whole sequence, from first launch to final stop, runs under a minute, which is part of why Tempesto’s line moves quickly per cycle even though the wait can still be long on peak days.
Is Tempesto Scary? How Intense It Really Is
Tempesto trades height and length for disorientation. The forward-back-forward launch sequence, combined with negative-g moments as the train falls back into the station, catches most first-time riders off guard more than any drop does. Riders who are fine with launch coasters in general but haven’t experienced a backward launch should expect that part to be the most jarring element, not the loop.
Compared to the park’s other steel coasters, Tempesto is shorter and more compact than Griffon, Apollo’s Chariot, or Verbolten, but its intensity is concentrated rather than sustained. There’s no long airtime hill sequence; it’s a quick burst of launches and inversions, which makes it a popular “credit” for coaster enthusiasts and a manageable step up for riders who’ve outgrown family coasters but aren’t ready for a full hypercoaster circuit.
Tips: Quick Queue, Best Time to Ride, and Wait Times
Because Tempesto runs a single train, standby waits build up faster than the ride’s short cycle time would suggest. Riding first thing after opening or in the last hour before close typically means the shortest standby wait. Busch Gardens Williamsburg sells Quick Queue as both a single-day, all-attraction add-on and an annual pass benefit; Tempesto is included in both tiers, but exact pricing changes by season, so check current Quick Queue rates on the official site before you go.
There is no dedicated single-rider line for Tempesto, so odd-numbered groups will board with a stranger filling the empty seat rather than skipping ahead. Front-row seating isn’t a separate line either — seat assignment happens at the station gate based on which row is loading.
History and Theming
Busch Gardens Williamsburg filed permits for the Festa Italia expansion in October 2013, and construction on Tempesto began in August 2014. The Tempesto name was trademarked in 2014 and formally announced in March 2015, with preview rides for guests on April 20, 2015, five days ahead of the April 25, 2015 public opening as the park’s seventh coaster.
The ride sits in the Festa Italia section, themed around Italian village architecture and, per the park’s own ride description, Italian daredevil performance traditions. Its compact single-train layout keeps the footprint small relative to the park’s larger circuit coasters, but the twisting multi-pass launch has made it a standout among Premier Rides’ Sky Rocket II installations at parks worldwide.
Planning Your Visit to Festa Italia and Tempesto
Tempesto is located in the Festa Italia section of Busch Gardens Williamsburg, reachable on foot from the park’s main entrance area. Park admission works on the standard tiered model: single-day tickets, multi-day and annual passes, and optional add-ons like Quick Queue (skip-the-line access) and preferred or premium parking, all priced separately from base admission and adjusted seasonally.
Operating hours follow the park’s seasonal calendar and vary by day, with shorter hours in early spring and fall and extended hours in peak summer. Rather than relying on hours or prices that can change, check the official Busch Gardens Williamsburg site for the current calendar, ticket pricing, and Quick Queue rates before planning your visit.
Tempesto roller coaster FAQs
How tall do you have to be to ride Tempesto?
Riders must be at least 54 inches (137 cm) tall to ride Tempesto at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
How fast does Tempesto go?
Tempesto reaches a top speed of about 62 mph during its final forward launch.
How tall is Tempesto?
Tempesto climbs to a height of 150 feet after its multi-pass launch sequence.
Who manufactured Tempesto?
Tempesto was built by Premier Rides as a Sky Rocket II model coaster.
When did Tempesto open?
Tempesto opened to the public at Busch Gardens Williamsburg on April 25, 2015, as the park’s seventh coaster.
Does Tempesto go upside down?
Yes, once. Tempesto has a single inversion combining a non-inverting half-loop with a heartline roll, regarded as one of the tallest inversions of its kind on any coaster.
Is there a single rider line for Tempesto?
No, Tempesto does not have a dedicated single-rider line; riders in odd-numbered groups may be paired with another guest to fill an empty seat.
Where is Tempesto located in Busch Gardens Williamsburg?
Tempesto is located in the park’s Italian-themed Festa Italia section.
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